Drivers under 20 and recidivist drink-drivers will face a zero blood-alcohol limit under changes planned by the Government.
There will also be tougher penalties for drink-driving causing death.
Legislation to give effect to the changes, which were announced by the Government on Monday, are expected to be in place by early next year.
But the Government says more research will need to be done before it decides whether to lower the blood-alcohol limit from .08 to .05.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce says the changes are intended to reduce the impact of drink-drivers on the roads.
The maximum prison term for dangerous driving causing death will be doubled to up to 10 years' jail.
The Government also intends to introduce devices that can be installed on a dashboard to breath-test a driver before the car can be started.
Prime Minister John Key says he believes the standard blood-alcohol limit will be reduced eventually, noting that 36,000 people a year are prosecuted for drink-driving.
